On October 18, the 2024 Qiaojia Le Cultural Exchange Event—Fujian Province Overseas Chinese Food Culture Event, specifically the Mínqīng-Bàndōng session, kicked off at Honglin Cuo Square in Bàndōng Town, Mínqīng County, Fuzhou, Fujian Province.
Fujian Province boasts a unique advantage of a sizable overseas Chinese community and a rich cultural heritage. Since launching the “Qiaojia Le” initiative in 2022, the event has successfully hosted dozens of sessions both domestically and internationally, establishing itself as a significant cultural brand in Fujian and across the nation.
Recognized as a prominent overseas Chinese hometown, Mínqīng County is home to over 300,000 overseas Chinese. It is the birthplace of notable patriotic leader and democratic revolutionary Huang Naichang, as well as renowned returnee academician Wu Mengchao, which contributes to its profound overseas Chinese cultural roots.
The event featured a series of performances reflecting the local culture, including the song “Yanshui Yao” and the dance “Minyun Qiaoxiang.” Attendees enjoyed a variety of Southeast Asian delicacies like Malaysian glutinous rice cakes, Laotian mango rice, and Thai curry, alongside local Mínqīng snacks such as marinated duck, fried dough, and tofu pudding, showcasing the area’s rich heritage. Additional attractions included a Malaysian-themed photo booth and a collection of local culinary and cultural presentations, both of which drew a warm response from villagers and tourists alike.
Among the attendees was Xu Luying, a Mínqīng-born overseas Chinese entrepreneur, who wandered from stall to stall, relishing the immersive experience of “Qiaojia Le.” “Seeing the world allows us to broaden our perspective,” she remarked, praising the event as a platform not only for satisfying one’s taste buds but also for understanding diverse culinary cultures.
Lin Gaoxing, Secretary of the Fuzhou Overseas Chinese Federation, spoke at the opening ceremony, highlighting that overseas Chinese cuisine embodies the essence of multicultural fusion. This event serves not only as a celebration of culinary exchange but also deepens emotional connections among overseas Chinese, reinforcing their spiritual ties to their homeland and providing a vast platform for developing local industries and promoting cultural exchanges.
The two-day event will continue with several artistic performances scheduled to take place throughout.
